Why Do We Serve?

Why are you going to Mozambique? Why do you want to help people? In your carry-on bag of expectations are you packing snapshots of moments shared with Africans wherein they appropriately express their appreciation—albeit without a common language—for the trouble and expense to which you’ve gone in order to build them a house?

I’ve been meaning to write you for several weeks about a conversation I had with a Portuguese friend named Amélia who has six years experience working in southern Mozambique. She says she’s seen a devolution in the attitudes of the Mozambicans. She says they’ve become so accustomed to handouts on the one hand and corruption on the other that they can be very uncooperative. They’re convinced half the resources meant for them go to line the pockets of whoever’s in charge, leaving only the leftovers for them. Foreigners and white people are assumed to be rich and are expected to give. Amélia says they’re increasingly unwilling to collaborate on volunteer projects without pay. She’ll be impressed if we see much cooperation from our families.

And it isn’t only the natives who may not appreciate your motives. Justin Fox, a South African travel writer, concludes his 2002 book, With Both Hands Waving: A journey through Mozambique, by saying, “I couldn’t but feel that missionaries and religious charities were often yet another form of enslavement Mozambique could do without . . . Christianity has had a bad track record in south-east Africa . . . “1

That could take the wind out of the sail of your dhow.2

The Bible says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Everyone loves those who love them. If you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Everyone does that. Love, do good, lend, without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”3

I’ll be surprised if we don’t leave with at least a few snapshots of appreciative faces in our memory bags, but if that’s all we’ve got in there it may not be enough.

Jordan

1 With Both Hands Waving, p 203.
2 Dhows—small wooden fishing boats with triangular sails—are the mules of the western Indian Ocean and provide a living link to this corner of Africa’s rich, and at times tempestuous, maritime past. (With Both Hands Waving, p 208.)
3 Luke 6:32-35

Meet Rahim Mulji

My name is Rahim Mulji, 31 years old, an Investment Banker from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. While living in Alberta now for just over 1 year, the majority of my wonderful life has been lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. Here is my story: I was named Vice President of my firm January 1st, 2004 and was scheduled to move from Vancouver to Calgary on July 1st 2004. In mid April 2004, I was working out at my local gym and discovered a lump in my armpit, thinking nothing of it except for what all the beautiful ladies would think, I made an appointment to have it removed. Low and behold it was discovered, that I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Cancer of the Lymph Nodes). Six rounds of Chemotherapy and 40 consecutive days of Radiation Treatment had left me cured, but very tired. It’s been just over a full year since I have been Cancer free, and I feel that I am as good as new!! I have learned from this episode in my life, that we must take time to stop and smell the roses, rather than just running by them. In that regards, HFH is something that I have always wanted to do, but now WILL make the time to do. My intention and goal from this trip is to be able to give something back, but selfishly, I realize that I will be the one receiving 1000 fold over.



You all seem like absolutely amazing people, and I look forward to working closely with each and everyone of you.

Sincere Regards!!

Rahim

Bom Dia from Erinn Hatter!

Hello fellow builders! I feel that it is now my time to share a little bit about me with you. I am currently a resident of New York City. I've been living here for just over one year and have found myself wearing many different hats. I served coffee, then food, I danced and rehearsed for free, I worked at a summer camp, I interned as an administrator and now earn some pay for it, and currently teach preschoolers the joys of art...but I am still, as reporter Anderson Cooper describes, "finding my bliss". I anticipate that my sudden compelling urge to join HFH has something to do with it.

I'm a pisces (and the one with only 6 birthdays, I was born on Leap Year Day) so I've learned to follow my intuition. I tend to lean towards the introspective and thoughtful, but once defined am more than willing to share any realizations honestly and heartfelt-ly (is that a word?). Oh, and I also have a wacky sense of humor, as Kathryne can vouch for, so don't be surprised by my sarcasm...appropriately timed of course. If you can't laugh along the way, the road will be much longer.

I am eager to step out of the realm of comfortability and experience new things, new people, new places, new ways of being, and anticipate our time in Mozambique being one of clarity, realization, and life-changing direction.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Meet Isabel Serrano

I'm a girl(34...) who practises law. I've been working as a consultant of the vice-mayor of my town, Portimão, Portugal, and I'm loving it. You get a new perspective of the problems people have and I've learned that patience is a virtue.Somethings just take their time...
I was born on the 23rd March, so I'm an Aries. I'm christian (my family is catholic but I have some differences regarding their ideas).I love animals and music. I've been living alone since I graduated, so I'm used to having a space to myself. I have a temper, but I apologize as quickly as I get mad. I'm looking forward to meeting everybody!!!

A Word About Donations from Our Volunteer Coordinator

Here's what Anastase Nzabilinda, volunteer coordinator for the Mozambique Habitat affiliate had to say in response to a question about donations:

Regarding donations, it will be great if those interested could bring nonmonetary items like school and art supplies and books in English. I know these will be very helpful for school children. In fact, during last month's GV build, we visited a school and some team members had some objects to donate like pencils, balls, etc. and this helped a lot. Clothes will also be welcomed since there is a great number of people in need. Right now, I am not sure of any thing else you could bring besides the list of tools you have, but because this is generally a poor community, any help to them is very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Anastase

Hello There~!

Hello team.

My name is Ilhwan Kwon, all of my foreign friends call me James.
I am 32 years old and from Seoul Korea. I am an international business developer for a telecommunication company in Seoul and have electrical and computer engineering background. I have worked, lived, traveled, and studied in 8 countries on 4 continents. I have been involved with several charity and community activities, and am currently leading a small ~30-people-organization which supports field trips and other cultural and social events for orphans.

What triggered my interest in Habitat for Humanity was the War on Iraque. I was on a business trip in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when the war broke out and witnessed a suicide bombimg in the middle of the City's government district. Seeing the chaos and agony people were going through, I realized how much I was ignorant about people in needs in countries other than my own. I searched for a means to get involved in an international volunteer activity and found HFH. Even though it was a great opportunity to make a direct contribution to and to immediately improve people's lives, I have not had a chance to get involved as I can't be absent from my work more than 5 days. Now, I am in the middle of a job transition, I am more than excited to be a part of GV project.

I believe this experience will be more beneficial for me than for Citizens of Inhaca as I always find myself more matured and strengthened after a volunteer work outside of my comfort zone. I anticipate many difficulties and discomforts, but I can't wait to experience new cultures and work with a group of wonderful people from all around the world.

Megan MacCrellish: starting it up

Hi group -- I thought I'd take the initiative and post the first little paragraph! I've been travelling up and down the west coast (Washington and Oregon) with my boyfriend over the past week or so and have been pretty out of touch. Our upcoming trip is certainly on my mind often.

I am twenty years old and from Belmont, Massachusetts - a suburb of Boston. I go to school in the rolling hills of Vermont at Middlebury College where I am an Economics major with a strong interest in Film and English as well. I run track at Middlebury, racing mid-distance (mostly the half mile). I have always loved performing onstage, and have continued that interest in college. I take voice and guitar lessons and enjoy the great outdoors. This summer, I'll be on Sebago Lake in Maine for my tenth summer at a girls' summer camp. I teach sailing and am also the director of drama at this camp.

My greatest hope for our trip together is that I learn - about a foreign culture, forming relationships, all of you, and maybe even myself. I haven't done much world travelling, and I am more than excited to be exposed to a new part of the world and push myself to integrate into an entirely new community and culture. I think the trip will also provide excellent intellectual discussion about how what we're exposed to has changed or solidified our own spiritual, political, and moral beliefs. I think the entire experience will be an amazing challenge. Can't wait to hear from the rest of you soon!

Team Paperwork Week Closing Ceremonies Continued: Visas

Greetings Builders,

Often, the conclusion of Great Festivity is marked by some traditional reckless act on the part of participants, a symbol of finality and closure. Smashing champaigne glasses in fires and throwing graduation caps into the air come to mind.

And so it is with Team Paperwork Week. In an act of seemingly extravagant recklessness most members of the team will be hurling one of their most prized possessions--their passports--into the mail to the Mozambique Embassy in Washington, D.C. in order to receive the visas necessary to enter Mozambique.

(In an act of lesser recklessness, those of us in Lisbon will be taking the Metro up to the Embaixada da Republica de Moçambique, 7 Avenida Berna.)

The only thing remaining to be determined is whether we'll be entering Mozambique just once, in which case the single-entry visa is $20, or whether we'll be entering once again after visiting Kruger Park, in which case the multipe-entry visa is $40, a money order for which you must include with your other visa requirements:

Visa Requirements

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Citizens and permanent residents of all states require a visa; copies of green cards are required for non-US citizens except canadians.

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All visas must be obtained at the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique.

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Applicants must submit the original passport that should be valid at least 6 months from date of submission and have at least 1 blank page for visa stamp (amendment pages are not acceptable).

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Applicants must fill out the application form.

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Applicants must submit 1 passport-sized photograph or 2 photos for first-time applicants.

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Applicants must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope preferably registered or pre-paid air bill if processed visas are to be returned by mail or courier.
*

Both Canadian citizens and citizens of the United States applying for visas will have to mail all their requirements to Mozambican Embassy in Washington DC at 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036.

For more detailed information about visas browse the web site www.embamoc-usa.org. Use the "jump to" pull-down menu. Should you need additional information do not hesitate to contact Joana in the visa section at mozambvisa@aol.com

And please let me know if I can be of any help.

Thank you for your attention to detail.

Jordan

Habitat Fundraising Guide

Greetings Fundraiser-Builders,

Habitat for Humanity publishes a spiffy brochure full of fundraising ideas; everything from bake sales to sky-writing.

To get your copy just send an email asking for the Spiffy Fundraising Brochure to: gv@habitat.org

Jordan

Meningitis

Greetings Builders,

A number of team members have asked whether they should get vaccinated for meningitis. Though we here at BTWA assiduously avoid disseminating our own strongly-held medical opinions, we did, upon receiving these inquiries, review our notes--a jumbled mess of Porutuguese and English--from our visit with Dr. Francisco Godinho at the Institute for Tropical Medicine in Lisbon. When we found nothing about meningitis we called Dr. Godinho who assured us that a two-week visit during which we will have only incidental contact with children does not, in his opinion, justify a meningitis vaccination. If the trip were a month or if we were going to be working closely with children every day, he says, the situation might be different.

Dr. Godinho's opinion does not mean, Builders, that you should not ask your own physicians for theirs and follow the advice of whom you trust. It's just the lastest word from Lisbon, admittedly a happening place.

Have a great Thursday (one of the really underrated days of the week).

Jordan

MVB

Congratulations to Wendi Ben-Ari, named this week's Most Valuable Builder (MVB) for her adroit internet work.

Just take a look at this gorgeous sight she found: The World Through My Eyes.

Plans are in the works to be in touch with The World Through My Eyes Project Coordinator Blake Schmidt, who (coincidentally?) hails from the Pacific Northwest, to find out how we might become better acquainted with the project while in country.

But that's not all Wendi did! She also found our Official Team Anthem, which will be our means of identifying one another in airports and marketplaces. Click here: Mozambique and sing along!

But you other Builders needn't be intimidated just because Wendi's gotten off to such a fast start. If you'll keep asking great questions and reading websites and orientation materials carefully, you too may unearth the sorts of gems that could lead to your being a future MVB!

Blessed Tuesday.

Jordan

To Kruger or Not To Kruger?

Greetings Builders,

The total budget for the trip comes to $1838 per person so that the balance owing, after your $350 deposit, on or before July 3 is $1488.

That amount does not include the $137 and an extra entry visa it would cost per person--providing at least 15 people go--to visit Kruger National Park in South Africa--which people in the know say we should do--on Thursday and Friday, August 31 and September 1. We are a team of 16. Are there 15 who would like to add the $137 and go?

An alternative would be to travel within Mozambique to a coastal resort in either Bilene or one of the resorts near Xai Xai. This, too, would be an overnight stay on Thursday, returning after lunch on Friday. This would cost less.

Also, 1/2 day and full day tours of Maputo can be had for $50 and $120 (includes lunch) respectively.

Please let me know right away what you would like to do.

Shabbat shalom.

Jordan

Katie Ramstack asks, "Do we need a visa?"

Hi Katie,

What an ideal question to ask during Team Paperwork Week! You've really got the spirit!

The answer is yes, we do, and you may read all about the requirements at: http://www.embamoc-usa.org/requirements.php

The tentative plan is to enter Mozambique twice--once at the beginning of the trip and once again on September 1 after visiting Kruger Park in South Africa--so we want the muliple entry visas, which the state department website says are good for three months, so that today is the first day for us to apply!

A few of the details still need to be confirmed, but everyone can download their visa applications from the Mozambique Embassy link at right ("Jump to" download visa form) complete them, and get a couple of nice passport photos while we're doing the confirming.

Thanks for being on your toes, Katie.

Jordan